Last Modified: Monday, June 2, 2014 at 6:08 p.m.

Florida head coach Kevin O'Sullivan walks off the field after the Gators lost the Gainesville Regional against North Carolina at McKethan Stadium in Gainesville May 31, 2014. The Gators lost 2-5 to the Tar Heels and were eliminated from postseason play Saturday evening.

Brad McClenny/Staff photographer

10. It was a weird weekend, as Kevin O'Sullivan described it, and sometimes that happens in regional baseball. You get lengthy rain delays and performances you would never expect and the next thing you know your season is over. Think about this — Florida pitchers allowed zero runs in 15 of the 17 innings they pitched in the regional. That should be a recipe for winning, but two bad innings by two of the Gators' most reliable pitchers were their undoing. First it was ace Logan Shore, whose change-up should have been the perfect answer for a College of Charleston team that swings hard at everything. But he struggled to get the ball down in the first inning Friday and allowed a series of hard-hit balls and three runs. On Saturday, it was Kirby Snead who had a bad day in a five-run inning for North Carolina. In the end, however, it was Florida's inability to get the big hit that killed the Gators. I talked during the season that this team seemed to have the clutch gene, but it left them during the two games when they needed it most. Still, let us remember what this team accomplished with a group of players who are probably a year away. To win the SEC, sweep FSU and LSU, be a No. 2 national seed, I'm sorry but this was a team that overachieved even if two-and-barbecue is what people will remember. But I will remember an SEC championship.

11. The reality is Florida probably lost its way on a play that should have been a boost for the Gators, but turned into a blunder. Braden Mattson's long drive to left-center in the fifth inning Friday night against College of Charleston got away from the center fielder, but both Florida runners on base retreated thinking he had caught the ball. I have bad eyes and was sitting in the press box and I could see that the ball had been dropped. It was a huge play because Mattson was called out for running past Taylor Gushue between first and second. Florida was aggressive all season on the base paths but there were way too many base-running errors. That needs to improve.

12. Everyone wants to host a regional and you spend all season trying to put together a resume that is worthy of being at home. But some teams are better off playing on the road. Florida had been on the road for eight straight games and there was a bond that developed during that long stretch. I'm not saying that's why they lost two games at home and I'm not blaming the weather. I'm just saying Florida lost more games at home (12) than in true road games (8). I can't explain why. And I can't explain why Florida State went 17 innings at home before it scored a run in its regional. It's baseball.

13. Even with way too much time spent in press boxes over the last 10 days, the baseball and softball postseason has been intriguing. Who would have thought Bethune-Cookman would have won more games than Florida and Florida State combined? We had a near-brawl Sunday night in Miami. We had Texas and Texas A&M in a regional final Monday night and Louisville and Kentucky on Sunday night. So is this where I tell you the NCAA Selection Committee did a fine job? Of course not. I've been complaining about lazy seeding and selective geography for 10 years. I'm not going to stop now.

14. You may have seen this over the weekend, but the SEC Network's version of GameDay will be in Gainesville on Sept. 13 for the Florida-Kentucky game and in Tuscaloosa for UF-Alabama. My guess is that would preclude GameDay from being at either site. Like Gameday would be here for the Kentucky football game. It will be interesting to see how fans respond to the new show with Tim Tebow and Paul Finebaum, but what will really matter is the viewership. Tebow will draw some people, but in the end, we want to be informed and entertained on those shows. It's an interesting dynamic because Finebaum, who has his opinions turned up to 11, and Tebow, who sees the good in everybody, are both polarizing personalities.

15. I remember being at the Women's College World Series several years ago and some of the Pac-12 coaches were talking about how the SEC was finally taking softball seriously and could start to be a factor. This year is their worst nightmare — three teams in the Elite Eight and two playing for the championship. I also remember when Florida built its softball stadium and it was considered state of the art. Now, it's probably not in the top five in the SEC. People like to make this conference out as a bunch of cavemen who only care about football, but we know better. SEC softball might be ready to start dominating the WCWS.

16. The two least surprising stories of the last few days — there may have been bribery and corruption in Qatar landing the World Cup and Will Hill was cut by the Giants. One of my favorite stories in sports is when an athlete takes advantage of a second chance. One of my least favorite is when he or she does not. Three positive drug tests in three years is the ultimate example of blowing it.

17. The Tweet of the Week comes from ESPN and NBA commentator, oh, I don't know how to describe Bill Simmons. Anyway, here it is — “Kudos to the Spurs, I just can't imagine that we're gonna see another coach/star make the Finals together 15 years apart. Incredible.” It is pretty amazing. Every year we want to write San Antonio off. Eventually, Tim Duncan is going to be making shots from a walker. Still, I get the feeling the Heat are just toying with us and have been throughout the playoffs. Heat in seven.

18. I tweeted this weekend that the guy checking me in at the health club told me to “enjoy” my workout, so I had a whirlpool and a steam and a smoothie. I was kidding, of course, but one thing that makes 45 minutes on the Precor a lot easier is a live game and some great music on the headphones. Try these — “My Silver Lining” by First Aid Kit, “Let It Burn” by The Orwells and for an oldie “Just A Little” by The Beau Brummels.

Contact Pat Dooley at 352-374-5053 or at dooleyp@gvillesun.com. And follow at Twitter.com/Pat_Dooley.

<p><i>The Back Nine comes at you after more rain delays, but a very fulfilling weekend with my daughters, one who flew in from Los Angeles and the other who turned 13. I know, I'm in trouble.</i></p><p><b>10.</b> It was a weird weekend, as Kevin O'Sullivan described it, and sometimes that happens in regional baseball. You get lengthy rain delays and performances you would never expect and the next thing you know your season is over. Think about this — Florida pitchers allowed zero runs in 15 of the 17 innings they pitched in the regional. That should be a recipe for winning, but two bad innings by two of the Gators' most reliable pitchers were their undoing. First it was ace Logan Shore, whose change-up should have been the perfect answer for a College of Charleston team that swings hard at everything. But he struggled to get the ball down in the first inning Friday and allowed a series of hard-hit balls and three runs. On Saturday, it was Kirby Snead who had a bad day in a five-run inning for North Carolina. In the end, however, it was Florida's inability to get the big hit that killed the Gators. I talked during the season that this team seemed to have the clutch gene, but it left them during the two games when they needed it most. Still, let us remember what this team accomplished with a group of players who are probably a year away. To win the SEC, sweep FSU and LSU, be a No. 2 national seed, I'm sorry but this was a team that overachieved even if two-and-barbecue is what people will remember. But I will remember an SEC championship.</p><p><b>11.</b> The reality is Florida probably lost its way on a play that should have been a boost for the Gators, but turned into a blunder. Braden Mattson's long drive to left-center in the fifth inning Friday night against College of Charleston got away from the center fielder, but both Florida runners on base retreated thinking he had caught the ball. I have bad eyes and was sitting in the press box and I could see that the ball had been dropped. It was a huge play because Mattson was called out for running past Taylor Gushue between first and second. Florida was aggressive all season on the base paths but there were way too many base-running errors. That needs to improve. </p><p><b>12.</b> Everyone wants to host a regional and you spend all season trying to put together a resume that is worthy of being at home. But some teams are better off playing on the road. Florida had been on the road for eight straight games and there was a bond that developed during that long stretch. I'm not saying that's why they lost two games at home and I'm not blaming the weather. I'm just saying Florida lost more games at home (12) than in true road games (8). I can't explain why. And I can't explain why Florida State went 17 innings at home before it scored a run in its regional. It's baseball. </p><p><b>13.</b> Even with way too much time spent in press boxes over the last 10 days, the baseball and softball postseason has been intriguing. Who would have thought Bethune-Cookman would have won more games than Florida and Florida State combined? We had a near-brawl Sunday night in Miami. We had Texas and Texas A&M in a regional final Monday night and Louisville and Kentucky on Sunday night. So is this where I tell you the NCAA Selection Committee did a fine job? Of course not. I've been complaining about lazy seeding and selective geography for 10 years. I'm not going to stop now.</p><p><b>14.</b> You may have seen this over the weekend, but the SEC Network's version of GameDay will be in Gainesville on Sept. 13 for the Florida-Kentucky game and in Tuscaloosa for UF-Alabama. My guess is that would preclude GameDay from being at either site. Like Gameday would be here for the Kentucky football game. It will be interesting to see how fans respond to the new show with Tim Tebow and Paul Finebaum, but what will really matter is the viewership. Tebow will draw some people, but in the end, we want to be informed and entertained on those shows. It's an interesting dynamic because Finebaum, who has his opinions turned up to 11, and Tebow, who sees the good in everybody, are both polarizing personalities. </p><p><b>15.</b> I remember being at the Women's College World Series several years ago and some of the Pac-12 coaches were talking about how the SEC was finally taking softball seriously and could start to be a factor. This year is their worst nightmare — three teams in the Elite Eight and two playing for the championship. I also remember when Florida built its softball stadium and it was considered state of the art. Now, it's probably not in the top five in the SEC. People like to make this conference out as a bunch of cavemen who only care about football, but we know better. SEC softball might be ready to start dominating the WCWS. </p><p><b>16.</b> The two least surprising stories of the last few days — there may have been bribery and corruption in Qatar landing the World Cup and Will Hill was cut by the Giants. One of my favorite stories in sports is when an athlete takes advantage of a second chance. One of my least favorite is when he or she does not. Three positive drug tests in three years is the ultimate example of blowing it. </p><p><b>17.</b> The Tweet of the Week comes from ESPN and NBA commentator, oh, I don't know how to describe Bill Simmons. Anyway, here it is — “Kudos to the Spurs, I just can't imagine that we're gonna see another coach/star make the Finals together 15 years apart. Incredible.” It is pretty amazing. Every year we want to write San Antonio off. Eventually, Tim Duncan is going to be making shots from a walker. Still, I get the feeling the Heat are just toying with us and have been throughout the playoffs. Heat in seven.</p><p><b>18.</b> I tweeted this weekend that the guy checking me in at the health club told me to “enjoy” my workout, so I had a whirlpool and a steam and a smoothie. I was kidding, of course, but one thing that makes 45 minutes on the Precor a lot easier is a live game and some great music on the headphones. Try these — “My Silver Lining” by First Aid Kit, “Let It Burn” by The Orwells and for an oldie “Just A Little” by The Beau Brummels. </p><p><i>Contact Pat Dooley at 352-374-5053 or at dooleyp@gvillesun.com. And follow at Twitter.com/Pat_Dooley.</i></p>